MONTEVALLO – More than 350 diplomas were presented to University of Montevallo students May 3 at UM’s spring commencement. Holding spring graduation ceremonies on the lawn of Flowerhill, the home of UM’s president, is a long-held tradition. The combination of spring sunshine, graduates in caps and gowns, and a multitude of parents, families and friends provides a setting few will forget. Add to this vision a Marine major general to deliver the commencement address, and the product is an occasion to remember.

John W. Stewart III, president of the University of Montevallo, conferred degrees on 260 candidates for bachelor’s degrees, 83 candidates for master’s degrees and 11 candidates for the educational specialist degree.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Frederick M. Padilla, director of operations with Plans, Policies and Operations at U.S. Marine Headquarters in Arlington, Va., was the keynote speaker. Padilla honored the late Eugene B. Sledge, a Marine and veteran of World War II, who earned the nickname “Sledgehammer” in the Pacific theater. Sledge taught biology at UM for 28 years and authored the book, “With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa,”published in 1981.

Padilla gave the graduating seniors guidelines for navigating the pathways of life including hard work, honor, service and avoidance of distractions. He encouraged them to “make Sledgehammer proud.”